2018 NBA Mock Draft

Phoenix has a great variety of Guards in Elfrid Payton, Trevor Booker, and Josh Jackson but they are very underutilized at the bigger positions. Deandre Ayton is one of the most dominant offensive Center in the NBA Draft since Karl-Anthony Towns was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA Draft. C Tyson Chandler is 35 years old and the Suns are getting ready to move on to repair their team that is ranked 21st in points per game (103.9) and 30th (last) in points allowed per game (113.3).

Sacramento Kings – PF Marvin Bagley III (Duke)

The Kings need help all-throughout the court but the frontcourt is an area that needs to be addressed the most. More talent and productivity needs to be added as well for Sacramento. Bagley will supply efficient playmaking on both sides of the ball as well as become a very productive product with PG De’Aaron Fox. Adding Bagley gives the Kings the ability to spread throughout the court and create more scoring situations.

Atlanta Hawks – SG/SF Luka Doncic (Real Madrid, Spain)

Of the teams with early picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks have many options (especially with three 1st round picks) to take but they also can’t afford any mishaps. The Hawks need talent and productivity at every position on their team. Although C Mohamed Bamba (Texas) would be an excellent player for the organization, the Hawks need a consistent yet explosive offensive scorer like Luka Doncic. Last season, Atlanta was ranked 25th in the league in points per game (103.4).

Memphis Grizzlies – SF Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri)

Of the top needs for the Memphis Grizzlies in this Draft, they need a Wing, a playmaker, and a consistent scorer. These are all things they can take care of in one pick by selecting Michael Porter Jr. who has huge potential despite his injury history. Porter only played in 3 games last season in his freshman season at Missouri due to a lower back injury. If Porter is healthy, the Grizzlies might quickly take him, especially with Memphis eagerly shopping SF Chandler Parsons.

Dallas Mavericks – C Mohamed Bamba (Texas)

Among the teams in the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks were one of the guiltiest teams in terms of tanking. They saw the potential of the huge talent that this 2018 NBA Draft has to offer. Even though the Mavericks were 12th in the league in points allowed per game (105.4), they could use paint defending the paint. Bamba is one of the best defenders in this Draft with his huge size at 7-1 and his incredible wingspan of 7-10. Bamba accounted for 3.8n blocks per game while at Texas last season. He would also move Dirk Nowitzki at his natural Power Forward position.

Orlando Magic – PF/C Jaren Jackson (Michigan State)

The bad news for the Orlando Magic is that they need help all across the board. The good news is that they could potentially get a steal in selecting Jackson with the 6th overall pick. Jackson is one of the best overall players in this 2018 NBA Draft and not be dropping very far. The Magic need high caliber talent as well as someone who can improve their scoring offense that is ranked 24th in the league (103.4). They also need help accounting for rebounds as they were ranked 26th in rebounds accounted for per game (41.6).

Chicago Bulls – SF Mikal Bridges (Villanova)

Chicago is desperately for a change in the right direction. One of those changes is effectiveness from being the 3-point arc. While a case can be made for Oklahoma PG Trae Young, the Bulls might be better off with Villanova’s Mikal Bridges. Last season with his National Championship winning team, Bridges accounted for 17.7 points per game while shooting for 43.5% from behind the 3-point arc. It also helps that Bridges is multi-purposeful by being able to play multiple positions.

Cleveland Cavaliers – PG Trae Young (Oklahoma)

The Cavaliers have not been the same ever since they lost they traded away PG Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics. A lack of productivity from the Point Guard position was the downfall of the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors. Adding a player in Young, who accounted for 27.4 points per game and 8.8 assists per game last season will improve the Cavs performance dramatically. SF LeBron James is also very favorable to Young so this could be a big plus for James to stay with Cleveland.

New York Knicks – PG Collin Sexton (Alabama)

While Jarrett Jack is not a bad playmaker for the Knicks, they can’t refuse the intensity and scoring potential of Alabama’s Collin Sexton. The former Crimson Tide is a nature scorer and a player that can score on the spot thus getting the intense pressure of PF Kristaps Porzingis. Last season, the Knicks could not figure out who to start at Point Guard between Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke.

Philadelphia 76ers – SF Kevin Knox (Kentucky)

The Philadelphia 76ers were one of the most improved teams in the NBA by accounting for a 28-54 record in the 2016-2017 season to becoming the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 52-30 record. One position that they know they can improve on is the Small Forward position where Robert Covington is good but they have been eying to acquire Kevin Knox with the 10th overall pick. Knox will fit into the young and talented 76ers based on his natural playmaking ability.

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About Michael Hanich

I am a Sports writer/analyst based out of Orange Beach, Alabama. Graduated in the Spring of 2016 at Huntingdon College with a Bacheor's in Sports Management and a minor in Professional Communications. I write for a number of newspapers including my hometown of the Gulf Coast Media where I take statistics, information and theories and translate them into a broad but understandable sports article. My main interests of writing and analysis are College Football, the NFL Draft, College Basketball, the NBA, the MLB, Women's professional Soccer, the MLS, the NBA Draft, the Olympics, etc.
I am a former college football player at Huntingdon (2012-2015). Played Defensive Line and Halfback/Fullback/Tight End. I have been making NFL mock Drafts since I was 13. Sports nerd and comic nerd. Passionate about my Alabama Crimson Tide, Los Angeles Clippers, North Carolina Tarheels basketball and the U.S. Women's Soccer team.
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